Mission

The Mission of the Agricultural Studies Program is to provide students with an understanding of basic economic principles governing the production and distribution of agricultural resources; agricultural and environmental resource management; pre- and post- production business and marketing practices; physical, chemical, and biological principles of agroecosystems; global perspectives on food issues; restorative and sustainable agricultural practices; spatial and quantitative techniques; the social context of agricultural production; and public policy, regulatory, and land use issues.

In pursuing this mission, the program encourages students to critically assess agricultural issues and trends; provides students with opportunities to systematically develop the communicative, analytical, quantitative, and critical thinking skills exposes students to diverse teaching and learning strategies in a number of academic disciplines; and delivers a high quality academic program that prepares students for emerging professional opportunities.

Program Goals

Enable California State University, Stanislaus to pursue a program that is consistent with its liberal arts mission;

Foster the development of sustainable relationships with area community colleges through the implementation of a â2+2â program design;

Increase student access to an academic program in the area in which they reside;

Strengthen ties between the University and the regionâs agricultural and educational communities;

Provide academic departments at California State University, Stanislaus with the opportunity and incentives to collaborate through the delivery of a multidisciplinary major;

Strengthen ties between the University and the other CSU agriculture campuses capitalizing on the diversity and depth of those programs through collaborative efforts and course offerings; and

Offer an academic program not replicated elsewhere that meets educational needs of geographically bound students in the northern San Joaquin Valley and Central Sierra Foothills.

Student Learning Objectives

Students will:

Explain basic economic principles with respect to the production and distribution of agricultural resources;

Explain the principles of agricultural and environmental resource management;

Describe agricultural business and marketing practices;

Explain the physical, chemical, and biological principles of agroecosystems;